What is the state of freedom in Europe today?
Europe is changing. Populist and nationalist parties are gaining ground in many countries; in some, they're even taking charge of government and beginning to undermine the very foundations of democracy, such as the rule of law and freedom of the press. Scepticism towards the European Union was notably expressed in the Brexit, but is not confined to Great Britain, while the integration process is running at different speeds, marginalizing countries like Romania and Bulgaria.
How important is freedom in present-day Europe? Where is it at risk? How can we shore up freedom?
Freiraum (Free Space) is a project by Goethe-Institut in collaboration with 53 actors from 40 cities around Europe, active in culture and the arts, the research community and civil society, joining forces to answer these questions.
How important is freedom in present-day Europe? Where is it at risk? How can we shore up freedom?
Freiraum (Free Space) is a project by Goethe-Institut in collaboration with 53 actors from 40 cities around Europe, active in culture and the arts, the research community and civil society, joining forces to answer these questions.
Freiraum Project - launched by Goethe-Institut in 2017
Phase I (2017-2019)
42 Goethe-Instituts in Europe take part in the Freiraum project, launched by Goethe-Institut in 2017.
In 40 cities, Goethe-Instituts are joining forces with people in culture and the arts, the research community and civil society to look for answers and explore the various components of the concept of freedom: individual freedom, economic freedom and contrasting views of political freedom. The issues, which vary widely by region, are grouped into five thematic strands: The Liveable City: public space and urban planning, Post-Europe: democracy, nationalism and populism, In Defence of Diversity: diversity and integration, Freedom, a Luxury?: the economic divide within the EU, and Speakers Corner: freedom of speech and opinion.
The Goethe-Institut sees itself as an institution with a European mission. We advocate for a vision of European integration and a shared European cultural space based on cultural diversity and distinctiveness – and we are well aware of the crisis of that vision today. Not naïve enthusiasm, but the willingness to engage in productive dialogue, even if fraught with tension, should lead the way forwards. Johannes Ebert, Secretary-General of the Goethe-Institut, describes this mission: “In neighbouring countries and even right on our doorstep, we are suddenly resuming debates that many of us thought were over and done with. I firmly believe that institutions have a special responsibility here: to challenge supposed certainties and seek dialogue with one another – even where common ground is not self-evident.” A robust civil society is the basis of a democratic and pluralistic community. The Goethe-Institut is making use of its extensive network to bring over 40 European partners together in this project.
In 40 cities, Goethe-Instituts are joining forces with people in culture and the arts, the research community and civil society to look for answers and explore the various components of the concept of freedom: individual freedom, economic freedom and contrasting views of political freedom. The issues, which vary widely by region, are grouped into five thematic strands: The Liveable City: public space and urban planning, Post-Europe: democracy, nationalism and populism, In Defence of Diversity: diversity and integration, Freedom, a Luxury?: the economic divide within the EU, and Speakers Corner: freedom of speech and opinion.
The Goethe-Institut sees itself as an institution with a European mission. We advocate for a vision of European integration and a shared European cultural space based on cultural diversity and distinctiveness – and we are well aware of the crisis of that vision today. Not naïve enthusiasm, but the willingness to engage in productive dialogue, even if fraught with tension, should lead the way forwards. Johannes Ebert, Secretary-General of the Goethe-Institut, describes this mission: “In neighbouring countries and even right on our doorstep, we are suddenly resuming debates that many of us thought were over and done with. I firmly believe that institutions have a special responsibility here: to challenge supposed certainties and seek dialogue with one another – even where common ground is not self-evident.” A robust civil society is the basis of a democratic and pluralistic community. The Goethe-Institut is making use of its extensive network to bring over 40 European partners together in this project.
Freiraum Project Phase II (2019-2020)
FREIRAUM is entering its second round, which will be the final phase of Goethe-Institut participation, after which the partners are to take it from there.
The pan-European Freiraum project has been facilitating and nurturing dialogue between partners in the arts and civil society, including NGOs, theatres and cultural centres, since 2017 in 42 locations all over Europe. Working in tandems of two randomly paired cities, the Goethe-Institut and partner organizations have endeavoured to assess the state of freedom in present-day Europe. The results of their collaborative efforts were presented from the early summer of 2017 to the spring of 2019 in performances, experimental discussion-based events, exhibitions, concerts and films.
The focus of FREIRAUM Phase II is on networking: the Goethe-Institut aims to shore up and expand its multidisciplinary transnational platform of partners with a view to building on the active engagement and enthusiasm they displayed in the first phase of the project. Phase II is to keep the platform going strong after 2020, and turn it into a self-sustaining association of actors in the arts and civil society who support one another and regularly exchange news and views, addressing current European issues and developing projects together using their own resources or third-party funds. Through targeted capacity-building efforts, the Goethe-Institut will encourage partners to continue collaborating internationally.
The pan-European Freiraum project has been facilitating and nurturing dialogue between partners in the arts and civil society, including NGOs, theatres and cultural centres, since 2017 in 42 locations all over Europe. Working in tandems of two randomly paired cities, the Goethe-Institut and partner organizations have endeavoured to assess the state of freedom in present-day Europe. The results of their collaborative efforts were presented from the early summer of 2017 to the spring of 2019 in performances, experimental discussion-based events, exhibitions, concerts and films.
The focus of FREIRAUM Phase II is on networking: the Goethe-Institut aims to shore up and expand its multidisciplinary transnational platform of partners with a view to building on the active engagement and enthusiasm they displayed in the first phase of the project. Phase II is to keep the platform going strong after 2020, and turn it into a self-sustaining association of actors in the arts and civil society who support one another and regularly exchange news and views, addressing current European issues and developing projects together using their own resources or third-party funds. Through targeted capacity-building efforts, the Goethe-Institut will encourage partners to continue collaborating internationally.
Freiraum Platform & Freiraum Festival 2020
Initiated by the Goethe-Institut, Freiraum is now an autonomous platform, in which the Goethe-Institut will continue playing an important role.
The Freiraum Festival is organised in collaboration with a curatorial team representing the 53 partner institutions, and under the artistic direction of ArtBOX Creative Arts Management and the Goethe-Institut. To correspond to the coronavirus pandemic, the Festival format is adapted, in order to make the festival a digital and local, participatory, sustainable and solidarity-based event, while the content explores the various new realities that have emerged.
The Freiraum Festival is organised in collaboration with a curatorial team representing the 53 partner institutions, and under the artistic direction of ArtBOX Creative Arts Management and the Goethe-Institut. To correspond to the coronavirus pandemic, the Festival format is adapted, in order to make the festival a digital and local, participatory, sustainable and solidarity-based event, while the content explores the various new realities that have emerged.
